Description

Book Synopsis
Uncertain Powers presents a nuanced study of female leadership in medieval Japan. Sachiko Kawai explores the important political and economic roles of 12th- and 13th-century Japanese royal women who, confronted with social factors and gender disparities, transformed authority into power by means of cooperation, persuasion, compromise and coercion.

Trade Review
[Kawai] skillfully shows that female royal power and authority had to be constantly negotiated and reinforced through personal involvement and strategic use of various material resources. This is an important correction to much existing scholarship, and Kawai carefully builds her case throughout the book, where deep dives into a wealth of details and close readings of primary sources are always brought back into conversation with her overall arguments, which makes Uncertain Powers an enjoyable read. -- Morten Oxenboell * Journal of Japanese Studies *

Uncertain Powers

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    A Hardback by Sachiko Kawai

    7 in stock

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      Publisher: Harvard University, Asia Center
      Publication Date: 30/11/2021
      ISBN13: 9780674260160, 978-0674260160
      ISBN10: 0674260163
      Also in:
      Gender studies: women and girls

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Uncertain Powers presents a nuanced study of female leadership in medieval Japan. Sachiko Kawai explores the important political and economic roles of 12th- and 13th-century Japanese royal women who, confronted with social factors and gender disparities, transformed authority into power by means of cooperation, persuasion, compromise and coercion.

      Trade Review
      [Kawai] skillfully shows that female royal power and authority had to be constantly negotiated and reinforced through personal involvement and strategic use of various material resources. This is an important correction to much existing scholarship, and Kawai carefully builds her case throughout the book, where deep dives into a wealth of details and close readings of primary sources are always brought back into conversation with her overall arguments, which makes Uncertain Powers an enjoyable read. -- Morten Oxenboell * Journal of Japanese Studies *

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